End fastener for tire chains



May 25, 1948. LLOYD 2,442,243

END FASTENER FOR TIRE CHAINS Filed March 29, 1 945 INVENTOR,

2700/7 Z? Z/ayo? Patented May 25, 1948 UNITED STATE ENDFASTENER FOR-TIRE Eldon Er Lloyd; MaryvillagMo. Application March 29, 1943;,sefiamo. 4813080;

made of a single piece of wire formed to present.

a link engaging portion which will preclude accidental disengagement of said link from the fastener.

A further object of the invention is the provisionioff chain fastening meanswhich is so constructed: as to require the twisting of the chain from its normal position while positioning it on the; fastener hook.

Qther objects are simplicity and economy of construction, ease and convenience ofoperation'and-adaptabilityfor use in joining together the ends of link chains of various types.

Reference will now be had to the drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a tire chain embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing the fastening means in the operative position.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line III-III of Figure 1.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to that shown in Fig. 3 with the attaching chain link shown as it is being positioned on the fastener.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a modified form of the fastener shown in the operative position on the chain.

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the fastener shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a side elevational View of another modified form of the fastener shown in the operating position. on the chain.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the fastener shown in Fig. 7.

Throughout the several views like reference numbers refer to similar parts and the numeral l0 designates the side chain of an automobile anti-skid chain of standard construction which carries one end of cross chain 12 by connecting link [4. For the purpose of installing the chain on the tire it is necessary that the side chain be split and provided with a fastening means which can be easily operated to secure the chain on the tire or to remove the chain.

The side chains are usually made of interlocking welded links l6 of uniform size and shape-in linear formand of 'the proper lengthto substantially circumscribe the-w-heel rim.

The endlink l 6-ofchain lIl isinterlockedwith the-eye I8 of thefastener-ioi This fastener-'20- is made-off a single strand -ofrelatively large wire formed to present an eye [8 and-abod'y memher-22'. The 'eye may be welded-closed to=pre clude opening or otherwise formed to-present a proper'conneetion with link 16% I The body member This bent at 24 to-present a hook 26 and 'tlie free end portion'of the w-ire i's rebent at 28 toprovide a forward.- proj (action 30'- which serves to limit the-movement of link 18 engaged: in hookviiIiasishowni-ni Figs. 1; 2 and 3.

It-will be noted that the rebend? 28: isin a plane disposedat anacute angle toithe =plane of the hook: zfiisothaiithe endfitl of the wire strand is posi tioned adjacentthe body portion. 32' ofrjthe wire strand so that the space therebetweenis. only:

slightly greater than the diameter of the wire forming the link [6. This structure precludes to a large degree the chance of accidental displacement of the link of the side chain from the hook.

The link in its natural movement from the hook engaging position would be to enter the recess 34 formed by the rebent, thus preventing its disengagement from the hook. Due to the position of the parts the chances are very remote that the link l6 would be positioned so that it would pass between the wire end 3| and the body 32.

Referring to Figure 4 it will be noted that when the chain link I6 is being positioned on or removed from the hook, it must be slightly twisted from its natural position as shown.

When in use the fastener member is positioned with its unbent portion disposed outwardly from the body of the tire to prevent unnecessary wear.

The modified form shown in Figs. 5 and 6 provides for a similar hook member 40 made of a single strand of wire formed at its one end to present an eye 42 to interlock with link i6 and the end portion thereof is rebent at 46 to present an outwardly extending end portion 48 which extends beyond the outer extremity of hook 44.

The plane of the rebend is shown as being at a right angle to the plane of the hook, however, it might be at an acute or obtuse angle thereto without departing from the general structure.

Should the side chain link l6 move rearwardly on the hook for disengagement then the protruding end portion 48 would prevent disengagement of the link from the hook. When the link is positioned on the hook it must first be turned at an angle of 90 degrees from its normal position to pass over the rebent portion 46.

Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8 wherein is shown a further modified form of the fastener, it will be noted this fastener 50 is also made of a single strand of wire having an attaching eye 52 at its one end, a hook 54 formed intermediate its ends and provided at its free end with a rebent portion 56 with the end portion 58 extending between the body portions of the wire and in a common plane with the hook. The length of the rebend is such that link l6 cannot be accidentally moved thereover for disengagement.

It is quite apparent that these chain fastening means shown and described are so constructed as to be easily and quickly attached or detached manually but will not be easily detached acci- 2. A fastener for the side chain of a tire chain comprising a single wire strand provided at its one end with an eye to interlock with a link at one end of said side chain, an open hook formed intermediate the ends of said wire strand adapted to removably engage a link at the other end of said side chain, and a return bend formed at the hook end portion of said wire strand to lie at an acute angle to the plane of and directly above said hook.

3. A fastener for the side chain of a tire chain comprising an elongated rigid member provided at its one end with an eye to interlock with a j link at oneend of said side chain, an open hook dentally when the chain is in operative position 7 on the moving wheel.

While the drawing shows a round wire for making the parts of the end fastener for tire chains, it is not intended to limit the making of the fastener to the ordinary round wire shown, but is intended to include any elongated member formed by drawing, stamping, forging or by any other method.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A fastener for the side chain of a tire chain comprising a single strand ofwire formed to present an eye at its one end portion to interlock with a link at one end of said side chain, said wire being formed adjacent its opposite end to present an open hook in the plane of said eye to receive a link at the other end of said side chain, the free end portion of said wire strand being rebent to extend outwardly from said eye with the plane thereof disposed at an acute angle to the major plane of said hook.

formed intermediate the ends of said member in the major plane of said eye adapted to engage a link at the other end of said side chain and a return bend formed at the end portion of said elongated member with its free end portion positioned in a plane disposed at an acute angle to the plane of said eye and intermediate the strands of said open hook to interfere with accidental movement of said link from said hook.

ELDON E. LLOYD.

REFERENCE S CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Taylor Oct. 8, 1935 

